List of parish councils in Cornwall facts for kids

Local councils in Cornwall, United Kingdom, are important groups that help run local areas. There are 213 of these councils in total. They might have different names, like "parish councils" or "town councils," but they all have similar jobs and powers.

These councils are the lowest level of government in Cornwall. They work directly below Cornwall Council, which is a bigger council that looks after all of Cornwall. Think of it like different levels of a team: the local councils are the players on the field, and Cornwall Council is the coach for the whole team.

What Are Local Councils?

Local councils are groups of people who are elected to make decisions for their local area. This could be a village, a town, or a group of small communities. They help make sure local services work well and that the community has a say in what happens.

Different Types of Local Councils

In Cornwall, you'll find a few different types of these local groups:

• Parish Councils: These are the most common type. They look after smaller areas, often called parishes.
• Town Councils: These are like parish councils but for larger towns. They often have more responsibilities because towns are bigger.
• Parish Meetings: In very small areas, instead of a council, there might be a "parish meeting." This is where all the local people can come together to discuss and decide things.
• Community Councils: Sometimes, a council might be called a "Community Council," like the Polperro Community Council. These work just like parish or town councils.
• City Council: Truro is the only city in Cornwall, so it has a special council called Truro City Council.

All these different types of councils have the same basic powers. They all work to improve life for people in their local area.

How Do They Work?

Local councils are made up of elected people called councillors. These councillors are chosen by the people who live in that area, usually every four years. They meet regularly to talk about local issues and make decisions.

Each council also has a clerk. The clerk is a paid staff member who helps the council run smoothly. They keep records, manage meetings, and make sure the council follows the rules.

Local councils deal with many things that affect daily life. This can include looking after local parks, bus shelters, public toilets, and community halls. They also give advice to the bigger Cornwall Council on things like planning new buildings or improving roads in their area. They are a voice for their local community.

Examples of Local Councils

Here are a few examples of local councils in Cornwall and what they do:

Advent Parish Meeting

The Advent Parish Meeting is for the parish of Advent, Cornwall. Even though it's a "meeting" and not a "council," it has the same powers as a parish council. It's part of the Cornwall Association of Local Councils, which is a group that helps all the local councils work together.

Altarnun Parish Council

The Altarnun Parish Council looks after the village and civil parish of Altarnun. It has 11 councillors who are elected every four years. They also have three staff members, including their clerk, who help them with their work. This council is also a member of the Cornwall Association of Local Councils.

Antony Parish Council

The Antony Parish Council serves the village and civil parish of Antony, Cornwall. This council has six elected councillors and a clerk. Like many other local councils, it is a member of the Cornwall Association of Local Councils.

Blisland Parish Council

The Blisland Parish Council is for the village and civil parish of Blisland. It has nine councillors who are elected every four years. Their records show that this council has been active since at least 1894, showing how long these local groups have been helping communities.

There are many more local councils across Cornwall, each working hard for their specific community.